Department ofBotany

Biological Conservation Newsletter

No. 140January 1995

Editor: Jane Villa-Lobos

LIMBE BOTANIC GARDEN

The Limbe Botanic Garden is a component of the greater Mount
Cameroon Project. This is a multilateral initiative funded by the
British Overseas Development Administration (ODA), the German
Technical Agency (GTZ), the Global Environment Facility (GEF) of
the World Bank and the Government of Cameroon (GoC). Its main
objective is the conservation of the unique biodiversity of Mount
Cameroon, with the support of the local people. A part of
achieving this aim is encouraging research initiatives to provide
baseline information for the formulation of management plans for
the sustainable development of the region and helping to identify
conservation priorities and the optimum methods of conserving
them.

Mount Cameroon is centered in the Guineo-Congolian regional
area of endemism, one the main Pleistocene refugia postulated for
Africa, and contains ca. 4,000 higher plant species with ca. 50
of these endemic to Mount Cameroon itself. This is the last area
in Africa where natural vegetation remains unbroken from sea
level to the sub-alpine peak at the summit. Nearly 10 volcanic
eruptions since 1800 have created a vegetation succession mosaic
of various ages and over a range of altitudes. The wildlife of
the region is also extremely rich with numerous endemic primates
and birds and the highly endangered forest elephant, drill and
chimpanzee.

The Limbe Botanic Garden holds important living collections
of economic species, orchids and palms with particular emphasis
on West African taxa. The reference herbarium contains ca. 8,000
specimens from SW Province. An excellent natural history library
is also available. Established study sites (permanent sample
plots) and camping areas in a diversity of forest types provide
unique access to a wide representation of ecotypes around Mount
Cameroon. The botanic garden also provides unrivalled logistical
support in the form of plant collectors, ethnobotanical
informers, tree climbers, transport and access to remote villages
and forest areas around Mount Cameroon. In the vicinity of Limbe
there is also a soil anlaysis laboratory, a geological research
center, an agricultural research center, a fisheries research
center, a local archive collection, an English-speaking
university and offices of numerous non-governmental
organizations.

CENTRE FOR TROPICAL BIODIVERSITY

The Centre for Tropical Biodiversity is funded by the Danish
Natural Science Research Council for the period 1993-1998. Being
a "centre without walls", the funds are given for a
multidisciplinary research program that brings together leading
Danish research groups in the field. Denmark has a long tradition
and international recognition in the study of biology, taxonomy,
and evolution of tropical organisms. The purpose of the centre is
to strengthen this position and to support innovative work by
coordinating and supporting Danish research in the field of
tropical biodiversity.

The centre focuses on the biota of montane and adjacent
lowland forests in the Andes, East Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Its objectives are: document and compare patterns of diversity;
analyze diversity through phylogenetic analysis of species; and
test models of diversification for populations, species and
higher taxa. In the process, data is gathered on systematics and
geographical range of taxa and biosystematic measures for ranking
conservation needs in the context of current rapid destruction of
tropical forests.

Through its interdisciplinary approach to funding, the
centre brings together Danish taxonomists and ecologists studying
tropical biodiversity in montane biota. The centre identifies
common focal points for research, trains young scientists in
methods at the forefront of biodiversity research and increases
the internationalization of Danish research in these fields by a
guest program, symposia, and workshops on fundamental issues.

NEW PUBLICATIONS

The first of three volumes of Centres of Plant Diversity:
A Guide and Strategy for Their Conservation (CPD) has just
been published by the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) and IUCN-
the World Conservation Union. CPD contains accounts of
nearly 250 major sites for conservation of plant diversity
worldwide. Volume 1 covers Europe, the Atlantic Ocean Islands,
Africa, the islands of the Western Indian Ocean, South West Asia
and the Middle East; Volume 2 is concerned with Asia, Australasia
and the Pacific Islands; and Volume 3 deals with the Americas.

The directory provides a unique global and regional review
of the nature and distribution of the main concentrations of
plant diversity in the world, and serves as a guide to the most
practical and cost-effective ways of conserving as much of the
biodiversity as possible, together with its sustainable use. This
project has been a tremendous effort involving over 400
botanists, conservationists and resource managers worldwide,
together with over 100 collaborating institutions and
organizations.

Each major region is introduced by a regional overview,
including paragraphs on other centres of plant diversity which
are important conservation areas, but which did not meet the
criteria for selection as CPD sites. Each of the 234 individual
site sheets includes sections on geography, vegetation, flora,
useful plants, social and environmental values, threats,
connservation, and references. An economic assessment section is
included where data is available. The introduction to the book
contains a background to the project, the concept of identifying
centres of diveristy and endemism, the criteria and methodology
used for selecting the sites, a world list of species richness
and endemism listed by region, a world map showing the location
of the 234 sites selected for data sheet treatment, as well as a
summary table of the sites in the three volumes.

Centres of Plant Diversity is an incredible resource
on global "hotspots" of plant diversity in need of conservation.
The information has been written by country experts and much of
the data is published for the first time in this book. CPD
Volume 1 is available for 30 pounds Sterling (plus 15% for
shipping) through IUCN Publications Services Unit, 219C
Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 0DL, U.K.

A Canadian Biodiversity Strategy has been developed
by the Canadian government under the lead of Environment Canada
with input by provincial and federal governments, industry, NGOs,
academe, etc. Copies of the Strategy can be obtained by writing
Biodiversity Convention Office, Environment Canada, 351 St.
Joseph Blvd., 5th floor, Hull, QC K1A 0H3, Canada. Tel.: (819)
953-4374; Fax: (819) 953-1765.

FELLOWSHIPS

The Lincoln Park Zoological Gardens offers three science
fellowships for undergraduates or individuals who receive their
undergraduate degree within 6 months of beginning their
fellowship. Candidates are expected to conduct scientific
research projects at the zoo for a 12 week period. Projects may
be coordinated with a candidate's academic program and schedule.
Academic credit may be possible through the candidate's home
institution. Fellowships may commence as early as 1 May 1994 but
all fellowship work must be completed prior to 1 April 1995. Each
fellowship carries a stipend of $2500 for 12 weeks. A small
amount of funds is available for project supplies and library
work. All living and other expenses are the responsibility of the
fellow.

Through its annual grant from the Dr. Scholl Foundation, the
zoo also offers graduate level fellowships for research projects
conducted at the zoo. Projects may either be distinct from, or an
integral part of, the thesis or dissertation research. Each
fellowship associated with a thesis or dissertation project has a
duration of one year and carries a stipend of $5000. A small
amount of funds is available for supplies and library work.

Types of projects: projects may be specific to the
candidate's interests as they reflect those needs of the
zoological gardens determined by the zoo staff. Potential
projects exist in the fields of animal behavior, nutrition,
reproduction, physiology, conservation, population biology and
computer modelling of zoo populations, and veterinary medicine.

TRAINING COURSE

The National Council of Development Communication is
organizing the 1st National Training Program on "Strategies for
Sustainable Development", in collaboration with Banaras Hindu
University, Varanasi, India, April 4-16. The course is designed
to enhance and develop professional understanding of the issues
and methods applied to achieve sustainable development. For more
information, contact: Prof. V.K. Dubey, Head, Department of
Extension Education, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras
Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005, India; Tel.: (91) 542-311974;
Fax: (91) 542-310318/312059.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Nature Conservancy seeks a Landscape Ecologist with an
advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) and 3 years working experience
to be based in its Minneapolis office. The Landscape Ecologist
works with Conservancy staff nationally and internationally to
utilize the principles of landscape ecology in the design and
management of individual nature preserves and systems of
preserves. The ecologist will consult with key staff and partners
on issues of site design and ecological modeling and provide
training in landscape-scale ecological processes, patterns and
dynamics. This is a two year position with potential for
extension. To apply, send letter and CV to: Steven C. Buttrick,
The Nature Conservancy, Eastern Regional Office, 201 Devonshire
St., 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1402.

The College of Food and Natural Resources (University of
Massachusetts) invites applications and nominations for the
position of Director of Environmental Sciences at the level of
professor or associate professor. Starting date will be the fall
semester, 1995. The Environmental Sciences Program is
interdisciplinary and currently involves more than 20 faculty
from eight departments and two colleges in teaching and advising
activities. There are currently around 400 undergraduate majors
in the program which includes concentrations in environmental
biology, health, toxicology and chemistry, policy,and integrated
pest management.

Duties of the position will be primarily administrative
in nature with responsibilities for coordinating the teaching and
advising program in conjunction with the Environmental Sciences
Steering Committee. The director will also be expected to assume
a limited role in teaching and advising. A major area of
responsibility will be the development of a proposed Center for
the Environment and coordinating the development of a proposed
interdisciplinary graduate program in environmental sciences.
The proposed center will serve as a focal point for the
undergraduate program, the proposed graduate program, and for
research and outreach programs in environmental sciences.

Qualifications for the position include a Ph.D., and the
achievement of excellence in teaching and research in a
discipline that will qualify the candidate for tenure in an
academic department within the College of Food and Natural
Resources. Preference will be given to candidates having prior
administrative experience.

Applications are now being accepted. Review of applications
will begin on February 1, 1995 and all materials should be
received by that date for priority consideration. The
search will continue until a finalist is selected. Candidates
should send curriculum vitae, representative reprints, a synopsis
of their current and future academic interests and philosophies
and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of at least three
references to: Dr. Cleve E. Willis, Search Committee Chair,
Environmental Sciences Program, 235 Draper Hall, University of
Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003-2040. Tel.: (413) 545-5708; Fax:
(413) 545-5853; e-mail: willis@resecon.umass.edu.

The University of Michigan invites applicants for a joint
tenure-track position in the Department of Biology and the School
of Natural Resources & Environment (SNRE). Individuals are sought
whose area of scholarship is the ecological basis of the
sustainable use of natural resources in the tropics. The
appointment will be 50% Biology, 50% SNRE. Rank is open.
Candidates must have a Ph.D. in biology, ecology or natural
resources, and subsequent experience, with a demonstrated
research interest and expertise in the ecological sustainability
of the tropics. The successful candidate will be expected to
develop an externally-funded research program, teach one course
in each unit per year, and contribute to the University of
Michigan's international area studies program by periodically
teaching or coordinating seminars related to the role of
environmental issues in the affairs of tropical countries.

Candidates should submit a cover letter, statements of
teaching interests, research objectives, and the relationship
of their scholarly activities to international area studies,
curriculum vitae, and the names of three referees to: Search
Committee, Ecological Sustainability, The International
Institute, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI 48109-1220.
Tel.: (313) 763-9200. Closing date: February 15, 1995 or until
position is filled.

FUTURE MEETINGS

March 15-17. The 18th annual conference of the Society for
Ethnobiology will meet in Tucson, Arizona. The theme of the
meeting is "Culture and Biological Diversity: Past, Present and
Future". For more details, contact: Susan Fish, Arizona State
Museum, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721; Tel.: (602) 621-
2556; Fax: (602) 621-2976; e-mail: archaeo@arizrvax.

March 20-25. An international conference on biosphere
reserves will be held in Sevilla, Spain to examine and evaluate
the implementation of the Action Plan for Biosphere Reserves
adopted in 1984 and to advise on the measures to be taken for
future action. Participants will include biosphere reserve
managers, national biosphere reserve co-ordinators, scientists
working in biosphere reserves as well as decision makers. For
information, contact: Dr. Pierre Lasserre, Sevilla Conference-
UNESCO, 1, rue Miollis, 75732 Paris Cedex 15, France. Tel.: (33)
(1) 45 68 40 67; Fax: (33) (1) 40 65 98 97.

Witmeyer, D. 1994. The Convention on Biological Diversity
changes rules on the game for international plant genetic
resources regime. DIVERSITY 10(3): 28-31.

Worthington, L. 1994. New York institutions embark on
"understanding the diversity of life" project. DIVERSITY
10(3): 38-39. (Molecular systematics studies at New York
Botanical Garden and the American Museum of Natural History)